IP Library Granted Patent US 11,661,002
Granted Patent B2
US 11,661,002 · App. 17/596,664 · Granted May 30, 2023

Illumination unit and vehicle

Inventors: Stefan Bauer (Sindelfingen, DE); Daniel Betz (Rottenburg-Seebronn, DE); Daniel Fuhrmann (Böblingen, DE); Sebastian Schüler (Pforzheim, DE)
Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
B60Q3/745B60Q3/252B60Q3/64B60Q3/82B60J3/0278
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,661,002
App. No.
17/596,664
Granted
May 30, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An illumination unit for an interior chamber of a vehicle includes at least one light source integrated into a surface side of a sun shield facing towards an occupant in a non-usage position of the sun shield. The at least one light source emits light in the activated state which is directed towards the occupant. A covering element is provided for covering a light outlet surface of the light source.

Claims (18)

1. An illumination unit for an interior chamber of a vehicle, the illumination unit comprising:

at least one light source integrated into a surface side of a sun shield of the vehicle facing towards an occupant of the vehicle in a non-usage position of the sun shield, wherein, in an activated state, the at least one light source is configured to emit light directed towards the occupant; and

a covering element arranged on the surface side of the sun shield facing towards the occupant of the vehicle in the non-usage position of the sun shield and covering a light outlet surface of the at least one light source,

wherein the at least one light source emits, at an angle, biologically effective light outside a visible range of a driver at least in a driving operation of the vehicle, wherein the angle is 6° between a first line from the driver's eye to a front edge of the at least one light source and a second line from the driver's eye to a rear edge of the at least one light source.

2. The illumination unit of claim 1 , wherein the covering element is connected to a switching unit configured to activate and deactivate the at least one light source.

3. The illumination unit of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is activated when the covering element is open and is deactivated when the covering element is closed.

4. The illumination unit of claim 1 , wherein the covering element is a sliding covering, folding covering, or creasing covering, and is fixable in an open position.

5. The illumination unit of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one detection unit configured to detect an illumination strength of a surroundings light of the occupant, wherein the at least one light source is activatable depending on the detected illumination strength.

6. The illumination unit of claim 1 , wherein the covering element is of a same material as a cladding of the sun shield.

7. The illumination unit of claim 1 , wherein the light outlet surface of the at least one light source is configured to diffusely scatter light.

8. The illumination unit of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is an LED surface light.

9. A vehicle, comprising:

a sun shield;

an illumination unit, comprising

at least one light source integrated into a surface side of the sun shield facing towards an occupant of the vehicle in a non-usage position of the sun shield, wherein, in an activated state, the at least one light source is configured to emit light directed towards the occupant; and

a covering element arranged on the surface side of the sun shield facing towards the occupant of the vehicle in the non-usage position of the sun shield and covering a light outlet surface of the at least one light source,

wherein the at least one light source emits, at an angle, biologically effective light outside a visible range of a driver at least in a driving operation of the vehicle, wherein the angle is 6° between a first line from the driver's eye to a front edge of the at least one light source and a second line from the driver's eye to a rear edge of the at least one light source.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 29, 2025
From: DAIMLER AG
To: MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
Reel/Frame 072886/0467 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2022
From: BETZ, DANIEL; FUHRMANN, DANIEL; SCHÜLER, SEBASTIAN
To: DAIMLER AG
Reel/Frame 059283/0363 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2022
From: BAUER, STEFAN
To: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
Reel/Frame 059283/0383 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2019 004 298.0 · Jun 17, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220305985A1 · Sep 29, 2022